green tips

What Does a Lifetime of Eggs Look Like?

jchatraw — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:22:15 -0400

Upon the birth of my daughter, I began contemplating just how many diapers were being carted to the landfill each week from our house alone. Then I began quickly running the numbers in my head … times two years, carry the one … I was shocked! If only I could get a visual of what that many diapers piled up would look like …

While I love books, sometimes a picture is worth way more than a thousand words when determining the enormity of the footprint average Americans are making on the planet. Enter National Geographic and its “Human Footprint” DVD hosted by newscaster Elizabeth Vargas.

Instead of letting your head swell with numbers that are difficult to put into visual comparison, National Geographic does the work for you. Want to know how much crude oil it takes for disposable diapers? Want to see what a giant omelet looks like comprised of all the eggs an American eats during his or her lifetime? Want to know how many gallons of milk the average American consumes? This video will show you.

As opposed to the preachy, condemning tone that many videos present these ideas, Vargas and National Geographic display the visuals in a fun way that are sobering unto themselves. It will definitely make you think.

Grill This! Part Two

scleaver — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Grilling season is now in full swing. Who knew the summer barbeque tradition could put off so many toxic fumes?

According to The Daily Green, “grilling can be toxic, even downright polluting.” Burning charcoal produces sooty particles that float through the air and invade lungs, and send off carcinogenic compounds like benzene. All that wafting smoke floats up into the atmosphere to add to smog. And, overchar your meat and you’re likely adding chemicals to the food.

Still, what is summer (or the upcoming Fourth of July) without a good bar-b-que? A good grilled burger or filet can be chemical and pollution free. Here's where to find green grilling tips and recipes:

The Sierra Club recommends using a propane or electric grill that put out less emissions than a charcoal grill, or a solar oven that won’t put out any emissions at all. And, if you must use charcoal, use lump brands from invasive tree species or sustainable forests, and use a chimney starter rather than lighter fluid.

To reduce chemicals in your food, opt for organic meat and trim the fat before you cook it.

Get the low-down on grilling, and tips from readers at The Daily Green.

Here are more green grilling tips from The Sierra Club.

The Wedge Natural Foods Co-Op has tips for the novice griller.

And you’ll find recipes at: My Own BBQ, a site for grill lovers. Epicurious has recipes for grilling tomatoes, fish, and on and on. The Food Network’s Bobby Flay page has grilling tips and recipes.

Photo from Boston Menu Pages blog.

Campus Green Tips

mschrier — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:55:33 -0400

RU Green is a program that Rowan University has put together to have Rowan University help the planet as much as possible. On the grand scale of fuel alternatives, waste minimization and so on. What could the average student (or person) do to help.

Tip from 3-11-08: Don’t oil change too soon. Lube shops encourage 3,000 miles between changes, but these days, most vehicles (even SUV’s) only require it every 7,000 miles. I still have to keep in mind the 3,000 miles. Once I hit 4,000 miles I start thinking about my next oil change…I have been unintentionally conserving for years (not procrastinating).

A Green Travel Plan for Everyone and Every Trip

GreenTraveler — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 09:29:06 -0500

Simply put, green travel is travel in which a positive environmental impact is kept to a maximum and a negative environmental impact is kept to a minimum. Keeping your carbon footprint as tiny as possible while traveling will help preserve the entire planet, including that favorite vacation spot you always visit. That being said, traveling green sounds like something any traveler would be interested in, right? Right, but although many travelers may be interested in green travel it can seem a little intimidating or complicated... not everyone knows where to start.

RezHub.com put together a Green Travel Plan that makes traveling green easy for anyone, no matter what their shade of green. Remember, every little bit counts and following any or all of these steps will add up to a world of change.

A Green Travel Plan for Everyone and Every Trip

Before You Go:

Help be a part of the solution by booking at RezHub.com's Green Travel Hub they'll donate 20% of the revenue to an environmental group so that every trip can make a difference. They'll donate whether the travel you choose is labeled green or not. Plus, RezHub offers bookings with green hotels, hybrid rental cars, carbon offsetting programs, and more.

When renting a car, choose Enterprise. They not only have the largest selection of hybrid and fuel efficient cars available for rent, they also take huge steps for the Environment. They've pledged to plant 50 million trees over the next 50 years, they donate millions to alternative fuel research, and the list goes on.

Look for hotels with a RezHub "Green Score." It's important to support the green efforts that each hotel takes because it shows management that they are doing the right thing, and it encourages further expansion of green programs. Remember, where one leaf sprouts, another is sure to follow! Read more about how to find a Green Scored hotel and how they are rated by clicking here.

Offset your Carbon Footprint. Choosing to go carbon neutral is one of the gateways to responsible travel. It's easy to do, and it's inexpensive! RezHub offers you the option of donating a small fee to the Conservation Fund's Go Zero program. The Fund's focus is on planting enough trees to neutralize the carbon dioxide that your trip will create, and help clean up the mess we've already made in the atmosphere.

While You're There:

Plan to green-up your stay, and feel good about where you're going. These are some really simple steps you can take to help green up your stay, even if you didn't book with a Green Scored Hotel

• Encourage the hotel you chose to go green or thank them for the green programs that they participate in! Speak with the management and let them know that green options are important to you.
• If your hotel has a sheets and towels reuse program, use it. If they don't, start your own! Let housekeeping know that you don't need them to replace your sheets and towels every day; this will reduce energy and water usage.
• Turn off the lights, air conditioner or heater, and the electronics in your room while
you're out.
• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth, and take shorter showers.
• Bring your own toiletries, or if you use what the hotel provides make sure to take what's leftover home with you.

Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints...
• When you're visiting a park or any natural setting, don't disturb the plants or wildlife.
• Never buy anything made from an endangered animal or plant.
• Make sure you save any trash until you find a garbage can, and wherever possible save your recyclables for a recycling drop-off. Check out http://www.earth911.org to find a recycling drop off center in the US.

Go local...
• Whenever you can, shop and buy from the local vendors. This helps support the local economy, and submerges you in the areas culture.
• Try to avoid the large chains that carry goods shipped in from overseas. All that shipping creates tons of CO2 and the large chains can push the locals out of business (if you wanted to shop at Wal-Mart you could've stayed home, right?) .

Give back...
• Consider volunteering some time on your trip. Spending even just one day volunteering makes a difference. Contact not-profit organizations in the area and set something up before you go. Keep your eyes peeled for RezHub.com's upcoming Volunteer Travel Hub where we'll help you find the perfect place to lend a hand.

When You Get Home:

Write a letter or send an email to the hotel you stayed in, the airline you flew and the rental car company you chose. Thank them for going green or encourage them to do so.

Send an email to greentravel@rezhub.com or post to the RezHub Green Travel Forums and explain how you turned your trip green. You might even win a free trip!

Keep these tips in mind while you're at home too, conserving resources almost always saves you green in the long run. And remember, it really is true that every little bit counts. If each of us took just one of these steps, imagine the difference it would make. Margaret Mead said it best, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."